Policies & Procedures

Winter Weather Policy
If Traverse City Area Public Schools are closed due to bad weather, all Senior Center Network programs scheduled before 10 a.m., including lunch, will be cancelled in Traverse City, Interlochen and Acme. If Kingsley Public School is closed due to bad weather, the Seniors Rock program will be cancelled. Local radio and television will announce school closings. The Traverse City office will be open for business 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.

Code of Conduct Policy
This policy was adopted by the Senior Center Advisory Board to assure the Experience of a Lifetime for all of our volunteers, members and guests. It is designed to:

Create a pleasant atmosphere for everyone

Maintain the respect of every individual involved in Center activities

Provide an environment for good fellowship

To achieve this, all members, volunteers, and guests should:

Adhere to the policies and procedures of the Center

Assist staff in enforcing this Code of Conduct

Be responsible for your own personal property

Behave and speak in a manner which is respectful of others

Leave the premises in the same condition in which it was found

Refrain from using foul language

Report any unusual occurrences immediately to the staff or Front Desk receptionist

Smoke only in designated areas outside the building, and use disposal containers

Wear reasonable clothing and shoes suitable for the activity

Alcohol & Tobacco
Alcohol and tobacco are not permitted in the building. Soliciting in the Center is not allowed, except with the prior approval of the Director or staff.

Noncompliance with the Code may result in membership being rescinded, or an individual being asked to leave the premises until such time as they are willing to conform to the Center's Code of Conduct.

Conduct Guidelines
Grand Traverse County recognizes that a secure, supportive and inviting environment is necessary for the Senior Center. Further, it establishes an environment where each person has a right to make choices and is responsible for the consequences of those choices.

Policy Statement
No guest, staff member, volunteer, or any other person shall be allowed to intimidate, bully, threaten to harm, or cause harm to any person or property at any time, for any reason.

Inappropriate behavior is defined by staff, who will use the parameters discussed at the Public Participation meeting of October 7, 1998 as a guideline. In a situation of physical attack or hostile physical contact, threat of intent to cause physical or mental harm, stealing, intentional damage to property, or lying, the following procedure may be ignored and immediate membership revocation issued.

Procedure
Should staff become aware of or observe inappropriate behavior in the Senior Center or sponsored event, they are to follow the following steps:

Verbal Warning

Step 1: Staff will privately address the individual about what specific behavior is unacceptable, and that the behavior will not be tolerated. This step is considered a verbal warning that the behavior displayed is unacceptable and cannot occur again.

Step 2: If the person's behavior continues, staff has the authority to direct the person to leave the building immediately. If the person chooses not to leave the building voluntarily, there will be no other choice than to enforce their removal by calling law enforcement for assistance.

Written Warning
A written warning may be issued if behavior persists on a separate occasion.

Step 1: Staff will privately address the individual about what specific behavior is unacceptable, and that the behavior will not be tolerated. The conversation will be put in writing, and a copy given to the individual.

Step 2: If the person's behavior continues, staff has the authority to direct the person to leave the building immediately. If the person chooses to not leave the building voluntarily, there will be no choice other than to enforce their removal by calling law enforcement for assistance.

Membership Revocation
A membership revocation may be issued if behavior persists on a separate occasion.

Step 1: Staff will privately address the individual about what specific behavior is unacceptable, and that the behavior will not be tolerated. The conversation will be put into writing, and a copy given to the individual.

Step 2: If a person's behavior persists, but on a third occasion from the original verbal warning, staff is authorized to issue a revocation of membership to the individual, and may direct them to leave the building immediately.

Appeals Process
In the event of a member's revocation of membership, he or she may appeal this decision to the COA Board by submitting a written request to be placed on the agenda for a closed session. The board will review the case, hearing from both the member and staff. If the board should agree with the staff's decision, the member's revocation will stand as issued.

If the board should disagree with the staff's decision, staff will have the opportunity to change the decision or refer the issue to the County Administrator for further review.